Healthy Jalapeño Poppers

Eating with your fingers is fun — I’m not embarrassed to do it, even in public. That’s one of the reasons why bar food, along with the spicy, crunchy salt coating, is so darn satisfying.

I don’t believe in giving up anything when it comes to food, but I don’t want my nibbles to take up my whole allotment of fat for the day. I created this version of jalapeño poppers a while back that are baked but still have the yummy contrast of creamy filling with crunchy breadcrumb coating.

While it’s fun to meet friends out for munchies and a glass of wine at the bar, when the weather gets rainy and chilly, I’d prefer to do more entertaining in my home. Making treats like this — served alongside a crudité platter, or maybe a plate of toast with cream cheese and smoked salmon — makes an easy, light spread to catch up over the latest gossip.